Go Ahead! Be Curious!

Have you ever wondered why God included certain stories in the Bible? I have. This week I was reading the story of the man of God in 1 Kings 13. (You can see a retelling of it below or just read it for yourself in the Bible.) It's a strange story and it left me scratching my head a little. But we know that as for God His way is perfect (2 Samuel 22:31). Nothing He does is senseless. Every story He includes in the Bible is profitable for us. And even a quick overview of this story will reveal several godly principles.
1. God gives instructions for a reason.
2. God's instructions must be obeyed.
3. No matter how spiritual or powerful, no one gets a pass from God for disobedience.
4. We can influence others to disobey God.
5. It is our responsibility to obey God no matter who disagrees with us.
I am still meditating on 1 Kings 13 and am convinced that God has more to teach me. Can I challenge you to do the same with a Bible story you consider a little odd? God's word is sensational in the sense that it is wondrous, intended to arouse our deepest curiosity.


1 Kings 13 (Very Briefly Retold)
A man of God hears the word of the Lord (along with very specific instructions). He goes to wicked king Jeroboam and foretells the coming of good King Josiah. God told this man to:
A) Not eat
B) Not drink
C) Not return home by the same road
D) All of the above
The answer is D. The man of God (whose name we don't know) was stopped by a prophet on the way home. The prophet then proceeds to lie and gets the man to disobey God's command. Once at the prophet's home, the prophet tells the man of God he will surely die for his disobedience. The man of God dies as the Lord said and the prophet buries the man in his own tomb. 
THE END